A Woman President for Mauritius

Dr David B. Lingiah

Something special happened in India this year. A woman for the first time in Indian history became president of the nation. Many people around the world congratulated her including Mauritius. Women around the world who suffer all kinds of discrimination, abuse etc feel they are going somewhere. She is the first women, the twelfth person, to occupy this position following sixty years of independence as a nation.

 Mauritius has a close link with India. Leaders of Women’s movements felt encouraged that such a move could influence an improvement in the plight of Mauritian women who are the target of daily abuse and even death. Mauritian women from all social backgrounds and political persuasion are now watching the developing situation.

Around the world women have been gradually moving up to occupy positions as prime ministers and presidents of their countries. Some of the political pioneers are:

* Indira Gandhi was India's first female prime minister, serving twice, from 1966 to 1977 and 1980 to 1984. She was assassinated by her own guards.

* Julia Tymoshenko was Ukraine's first female prime minister, coming to power in the orange revolution this year. Her government was fired amid allegations of corruption.

* Sirimavo Bandaranaike, born in 1916, was the first elected female leader. After the assassination of her husband, the amiable housewife became prime minister of Sri Lanka four times.

* Mary Robinson, born in 1944, was the first female president of Ireland, from 1990 to 1997. As a senator she had campaigned for contraception.

* Isabel Peron, born in 1931, a former nightclub dancer, was Argentina's first female president, after the death of her husband, Juan Peron, in 1974.

* Golda Meir was premier of Israel from 1969 to 1974. Born in Kiev in 1898, she was Israel's first ambassador to Moscow and a cabinet minister from 1949 to 1965.

Only recently in Liberia, Africa - Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a graduate of Harvard University,  67-year-old World Bank economist and grandmother, was sworn as war-battered Liberia's new president, making history as Africa's first elected female head of state and pledging a "fundamental break" with the West African nation's violent past.   She had hoped her win would "raise the participation of women not just in Liberia but also in Africa". It is a historical phenomenon, which is going to be an example to other African countries. Her slogan was: "All the men have failed Liberia; let's try a woman this time.”

Sirleaf takes charge of a ruined nation struggling for peace after a quarter-century of coups and war. Speaking for the first time as president, she also promised to stamp out corruption to secure the trust of sceptical foreign donors whose aid is desperately needed to rebuild.   

Pratiba Devising Patil (born on 19 Dec. 1934, educated in Law) observed:

"We recognize this change not a change for change's sake, but a fundamental break with the past, therefore requiring that we take bold and decisive steps to address the problems that have for decades stunted our progress."    She added:" I am deeply committed to the cause of education and would like to see every person, man and woman, boy and girl, be touched by the light of modern education. Empowerment of women is particularly important to me as I believe this leads to the empowerment of the nation."

These women recognise the heavy responsibilities they shoulder and they aim to improve the way of life of all their citizens including the women’s position in their country. First Lady Betty Ford's Remarks to the International Women's Year Conference in October, 1975 were: “ I am here because I believe the best way to celebrate International Women's Year is to examine the very real problems women face today, not the progress of yesterday. Much has been done, much remains, but we must keep moving.”

Mahatma Gandhi was once asked at a prayer meeting who, according to him, was an ideal candidate for the President of the Indian republic. Should it be an Englishman or someone like Jawaharlal Nehru, educated, experienced, and fluent in French? The Mahatma’s response was typical of the man who had pointed to the career options of farmer, labourer and scavenger for his four sons.

“My answer,’’ said he, “is that if I have my way, the President of the Indian Republic will be a chaste and brave Bhangi (sweeper) girl. If an English girl of 17 could become the British Queen and later even Empress of India, there is no reason why a Bhangi (sweeper) girl of robust love of her people and unimpeachable integrity of character should not become the first President of the Indian Republic. It is not necessary that the President should be a highly educated person knowing many languages. We do not want to display our pride to the world by electing a learned Brahmin or a Kshatriya as the President of India. By electing a Harijan girl to that office we shall demonstrate our soul force. We shall show to the world that in India there is no one high and no one low...

“She should be chaste as Sita and her eyes should radiate light. Sita had such radiance that Ravana could not touch her. If I can find such a girl she will be our first President. We shall all salute her and set a new example before the world. After all she does not have to concern herself with running the Government of India. She will have a cabinet of ministers and she will act on its advice. She will merely have to sign papers... If such a girl of my dreams becomes President, I shall be her servant and I shall not expect from the Government even my upkeep. I shall make Jawaharlal, Sardar Patel and Rajendra Babu her ministers and therefore her servants.’’

Well, we do have a woman President today, though one wonders whether the Mahatma would approve. Source: The Times of India, dated 03.09.2007

The Mahatma was simply looking for the right woman to hold this office. The one we have got is well educated to cope with the present world stage. We should salute her too. The words of Honourable Mrs Indidra Thacoor Sidaya, a former Minister of Women stated at the 23rd special session of the general assembly of the United Nations on “Women 2000: Gender Equality, Development and Peace for the 21st century on 9 June, 2000 are apt here: “We should not forget that we hold the keys to our own future. Therefore, we should not lose this special opportunity to shape a better vision for the future of women - and for humanity.”

Mauritius has a fair amount of women from all ethnic groups involved in various social and political activities. Any one of them could easily occupy with honour the position of President of the country. Is the time not ripe yet?  The former Prime Minister Paul Berenger promised, should he win the general elections, he would give a woman the opportunity to become President of Mauritius. He lost the elections; but does that mean the women have to wait until he is re-elected. If he thought the time was ripe for a woman to move to Le Reduit, what are the feelings and thought of the present Prime Minister?

The world will again be marking the International Women’s Day and celebrating Mother’s day in a few months. Mauritius too will join in. All male politicians will praise the progress women have made; yet they will still be slow to take the step to ensure the right individual, taking into account Mahatma Gandhi’s suggestion, is elected to the highest office in the land.

David.lingiah@ntlworld.com